In-Depth Character Study: Gavin Reed
We don’t see much of Gavin Reed, but there’s still a lot to learn.
Let’s start off with the most common misconception (especially in the fandom for laughs…) Gavin’s intellect.
Most people flag this off as Gavin just… being stupid (the number is right there?!) This isn’t true. First off, he’d never be allowed to work as a cop at the DPD if he was stupid or couldn’t Reed (I mean, read.) In truth, it’s simply the English translation that’s off. David Cage is French and this is a slip-up.
“T’es quoi comme modèle?”
English, the correct translation:
“What kind of model are you?”
He’s not asking about the model number. He’s asking about the model series (cop, caretaker, gardener, etc.) This is why Connor responds with “I’m a prototype” after “RK800.”
2. He’s afraid of losing his job
Most of us know this. However, there’s a detail easily missed. His reaction to Connor’s response.
“RK800. I’m a prototype.”
Connor says this. The word ‘prototype’ ticks Gavin off. Not because he believes Connor is ‘bragging,’ but because he assumes that means there’s an entire series of android detectives incoming. A prototype means ‘the first.’
“A prototype? Android detective…”
Gavin responds with this. He’s not ‘presenting’ Connor to Tina. He’s pointing out how there’s an entire series of Connors coming to replace detectives. This means that he has a lot more androids to worry about other than Connor in the future. What’s his solution? Kill Connor so CyberLife has to fix him/create another. This gives Gavin some time before he’s replaced and this is why he has such a happy trigger finger when it comes to Connor.
3. He’s insecure about a lot of things
Neil Newbon (his voice and mo-cap actor) confirmed this in a Bryan Dechart stream (source.) The fact that androids are designed to be 'better’ is probably one of the reasons. I’m willing to bet he’s also insecure about his scar, as one of his idle animations in the ‘extras’ gallery is him bringing attention to it.
4. He wants to be in control and issue orders
Whenever Connor disobeys him, he’s sure to point out that machines have to obey humans. He orders both humans and androids around. He also doesn’t like being ordered around himself.
(to Chris) “Chris, lock it up.”
(to Chris) “Move it!”
(to Connor) “Stay outta this, got it? No fuckin’ android is gonna tell me what to do.”
(to Connor) “I told you to shut your fuckin’ mouth!”
(to Hank) “Mind your own business, Hank.”
(to Connor) “Hey, bring me a coffee, dipshit! GET A MOVE ON!”
(to Connor) “Do yourself a favor, stay outta my way.” / “If Hank hadn’t got in the way yesterday, I would’ve fucked you up for disobeying a human.” / “When a human gives you an order, you obey.” / “I gave you an order!”
(to Connor) “Go on then. Get a fucking move on!”
5. He doesn’t like drunks
If Connor didn’t find Carlos Ortiz’s android and goes to the break room, Gavin will be very vocal about Connor as Hank’s new partner.
“Hey! You his drinking buddy? You bring him home when he’s too drunk to find his car? Ha, he stinks of booze!”
He also expresses this at the Eden Club.
“It’s, uh… starting to stink of booze in here.”
Gavin doesn’t like drunks. Neil confirmed he drinks alcohol, though (source.) He simply knows when to stop. He’s a guy that likes to be in control and alcohol takes that away. He’s a coffee guy (we already know this.)
6. He particularly despises Hank
This is in his character bio. Although it mentions how he garnered the hatred of his coworkers, Hank has an entire paragraph dedicated to him. Gavin’s distaste for Hank is because Hank is, let’s face it, a dysfunctional drunk (we still love him and he gets better!) who is a rank above Gavin. Hank also gets away with a lot because of his long-standing friendship with Captain Fowler. This is obvious in one of the outcomes of the interrogation scene.
“You won’t get away with it this time.”
This time, Gavin says. So Hank has gotten away with pointing a gun at a coworker before. Damn. That understandably pisses Gavin off.
7. He looks down on people that pay for sex (he also likes dark humor)
“Just some, uh… pervert who got more action than he could handle.”
He’s talking down on the homicide ‘victim’ who went to The Eden Club to bone down. Him willingly going to a sex club for their services would never happen. He also nonchalantly makes a joke about a dead person.
8. He’s desperate to be seen as well as heard (…and gets violent if he isn’t)
First in the break room. If Connor chooses “ignore,“ Gavin sounds seriously offended in his response. Surprised, even.
“Hey, asshole, I’m talkin’ to you!”
He gets violent if Connor disobeys him. The same happens just outside the archive room. If Connor chooses “ironic” or “leave,” Gavin will literally try to kill (and can succeed in killing) Connor in the archive room. If Connor chooses “calm” or “low profile,” Gavin will leave him alone because Connor doesn’t talk back to him (he also isn’t an immediate threat to his position anymore.) Another detail about the break room… A lot of people have made fun of the stance he’s in (ass out, bent over a table.) He wants people to notice him. He makes himself 'big.’ He does this because he was either 1. neglected growing up, and/or 2. is used to being in the spotlight.
Aside from drinking a lot of coffee and working hard, this is mostly physical observation. It’s common knowledge that Gavin has rather prominent bags under his eyes.
10. His most prominent scar was caused by a sharp object (not a broken nose)
If he had a broken nose, the damage would be at the top of the bridge of his nose. The scar also ends just above the left corner of his mouth and looks a lot like a knife wound. When asked about the scar, Neil confirmed that he gets into a lot of bar fights because he “can’t keep his mouth shut” (source.)
Again in the 'extras’ gallery, one of his idle animations is stretching out his back.
When Gavin is on his phone at the DPD, he’s not procrastinating. He’s actually working on it because his computer currently isn’t functioning properly (stick around and you’ll see Chris attempt to help Gavin with said computer problems.) His character bio says that he’s “ruthlessly ambitious” and “will do anything to advance his career.” This also explains his hatred for androids. He works hard, androids don’t, and yet they can easily take his position. Gavin has worked his ass off to get where he is and he doesn’t want it all to be in vain.
13. He’s protective of his co-workers
Something I’ve recently noticed… back during the interrogation of Shaolin (the name given to Carlos Ortiz’s android by his voice and mo-cap actor Cornelius Smith Jr. - source,) Gavin only pulls out the gun when Connor forcibly drags Chris away from Shaolin. Gavin sees this as an act of aggression and steps in to make sure Chris is all right. After all, they interrogated an android who was capable of murdering his owner. Connor is fully capable of doing the same (even more so, in fact.)
14. He talks with his entire body if he’s passionate about the subject
If you stick around outside the break room long enough, you’ll see Gavin be really into explaining/telling Tina something (unfortunately, we can’t hear what they’re actually talking about.)
Sorry to break it to you, but Gavin is the size of an average American man (5.9 ft.) Some other characters – such as Connor and Hank (6.2 ft) – are just really tall.
Sorry, guys. Neil has spoken (source.)
17. He never had a fleshed-out backstory
Neil confirmed Gavin was literally there for the players to feel for Connor. There wasn’t much thought put into him (source.)
18. (…and for all your fangirl/fanboy hearts) He can’t wink, pouts a lot and swears like a sneezing kitten
This is something we as fandom can cherish as canon forever.
I’ll leave it at that happy note. If you’ve noticed anything else, don’t hesitate to add it in a reblog/comment/pm, etc.
19. He has prejudice about androids
Once again confirmed by Neil Newbon using this exact word. Prejudice (source.) Gavin doesn’t think androids have real emotions and this is why he treats Connor like crap.
It would’ve been so easy for Gavin to insult Hank’s fashion sense, his suicidal tendencies, his work ethic or bring up his dead son, but he doesn’t. He only ever (justifiably) insults his alcoholism. Gavin is actually a morally just person who needs to work on his unpleasant attitude stemmed from insecurity.
21. He respects people (even androids to some extent) that respect him
As mentioned before, Gavin leaves Connor alone in the archive room if Connor chooses "calm” or “low profile.” Choosing “leave” or “ironic” – which triggers the fight scene – is a dick move (the "ironic” line is hilarious, I know, but it’s still an asshole thing to say.)
22. He has mild character development in favor of androids that’s easily glossed over
As stated in point 8 and 21, Gavin leaves Connor alone if he chooses “calm” or “low profile.” Connor might be leaving the precinct, sure, but he’s still out there. Gavin actively chooses not to kill him (if Connor is professional when Gavin asks where he’s going) despite the fact that he’s still a threat.
23. He doesn’t easily admit his mistakes
A follow-up to point 22. Gavin’s character development is in favor of androids, but he’s still very unpleasant towards Connor – and points out his android nature – because he’s too stubborn to admit that he was wrong.
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